About BigSurKate
This is me … or the “guest” in front of Cheryl’s shop, I’m never sure.
By trade, I have been an indigent criminal defense attorney since 1980, taking a decade off to work at the local school in all capacities. Currently I do appointed indigent appeals out of SF, SJ, Sacto, Fresno, OC, SD, and Riverside. Very deadline oriented work that I do mostly from home, with some traveling.
I became involved with blogging during the Basin Fire of 2008 (July 4, 2008, to be exact). I blogged live during the entire Chalk Fire in October of 2008, and then covered our first winter after the fire. Another first was covering the 18th Annual Jade Festival live from Pacific Valley School.
The first storm of the 2009 season served to redefine the role of this blog, once again, as I tried to keep up with the ever changing weather conditions of the historic storm of October 13, 2009. What a day!
I encourage everyone to share here. To watch out for each other and to make sure our information is as accurate as possible. Our community is unique, and our honesty robust. Let’s stay true to that.
This is a part of who I am or who we are, because I am not alone, I am just one of the public voices. You can email me directly at kwnovoa@mac.com
Thanks for your visit, and for taking part in my little blog. bigsurkate, revised, October 13, 2009 for the 2009-20l0 storm watch season.
Hello Kate: I am concerned about what has been happening on Apple Pie Ridge. My son Chris lives there and I know he has been on the fire line trying to protect the structures there. What is this about someone being arrested? I received a call from his cell that cut off before I could answer. We I called him immmediately his phone was off. Who got arrested? Would like ot help if I can even though I am in WA state.
Riverfloater
I confirmed last night with a family member last night that Ross Curtis was arrested. I have yet to speak with Ross, but am hoping he calls me today.
Hello Kate, I need your help. How do I contact you privately?
RR call (831) 818-8016
Hi Kate,
Since you seem to know so much abour the area…tell me…is Ventana Inn still in great danger? I know at one point the fire was right next to the propperty, but has it since moved?
I really appreciate your help!
Kate, I hope you are well. I used to live at Claus’s on lower Partington. Did his place make it through the fire? I understand Claus passed away last year. Sorry to hear…… I am in Ashland Oregon now, Saul is also living here.
Take care and ,y best to all James Zekas (831) 214-9958
KATE DO YOU NEED HELP? THANKS FOR THE PIC KURT
Very informative site for a transplanted Cambrian currently in Colorado. Thank you!
Thanks for the up to the minute reports on the fire. There are many people that I’m very concerned about in the south coast area, also I have been a vendor at the festival for 11 years now and It’s very kind of you to make available this most important info.Come and say HI to us in booth #8, The Monterey Jade Co………….Tim Hall.
Kate and others: how is the Hermitage fairing, lots of smoke there, are they in danger?
Jane, I tried to send you a private email, but as far as I know, the Hermitage is in no immediate danger. The fire is moving south and west, both directions AWAY from the Hermiage.
Inciweb is reporting acreage accurately. Perhaps you were looking at “total personnel?”
Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,334
Size 11,968 acres
Percent Contained 22%
Estimated Containment Date Friday October 17th, 2008 aprox 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved Chaparral (6 Feet). Large volume of dead and down material. Oak woodland and pockets of timber.
Fire Behavior Minimal spread due to rain overnight associated with a cold front.
Significant Events Dempsey Flat, Biere property, Macaruby and Alms property have been removed from the list of areas/residences threatened by the fire.
Thanks BigSurKate, got your nice email and appreciate it. Both my husband and I would like to know that if this fire is increasing, how come personnel are being pulled off the fire?
Is there lots of smoke around Lucia, Hermitage and Lime Kiln or has that gone a few days ago?
Thinking of you Kate and doggies, wish we lived down there to help you guys out.
But if you need some personpower, tell us all and we’ll try.
Jane and Tim, Capitola
Hey Kate, hey everyone: if I didn’t have long ago scheduled obligations, I’d be down there supporting you and the Festival, I guess Sunday is the last day, bummer?
Thinking of you and hoping the winds won’t whip up anything new. Love you all and KNOW you will have a fantastic Festival, know I am there in spirit with you all.
Jane, Capitola
well me again and I didn’t think I would post, thought the Chalk Fire was behind us so it’s a week or so later.
I know the Hermitage was evacuated. are people able to take their pets when they evacuate? I mention this because there are some dear loved pets and feral pets that are at the Hermitage, anyone taking care of that?
God Bless you all.
Jane (again, Capitola
Dear Kate! May I say “thank you so much” for your giving all these breath-taking pictures! I’m an oblate of the Hermitage, living in Vienna, Austria. To see even accross 12.000 km distance, what is taking place in this area, is fantastic (but some times shocking too) From the “other corner” of the world, I greet you and pray for YOUR security too!
Sincerely
Arno
Vienna Austria
Kate: I, too, an an Oblate!
on Gordon’s photo, how close IS this fire to the Hermitage? Also, I assume everyone is gone ther and was wondering and trying to place Gordon?
I am sending prayers and good thoughts, sounds like everyone is doing a fine job. I think after this all is over (and it WILL be) and once things settled down, I think we all should have a rollicking party to celebrate. I think even the Monks would attend, as it will definitely not be contemplative!
Thank you Kate for the worderful updates and photos of the Chalk Fire. I am an oblate of the Hermitage (living in SoCal) and have followed your site every day. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Donna
I’ll just chime in, too — as another oblate following the Chalk Fire from a distance via your website, Kate. My wife and I — usually in San Jose or at Rocky Creek (in Big Sur) at this moment are in Ottawa. And, we, too, appreciate your ongoing wonderful work, Kate.
Hi Kate. Got home today from the 2008 fire season. Am Capt on T-00 this year. Live in Paso Pobles. I called you early in the year with the names of the pilots of the tankers. Will be in your area this winter some time. Would like to meet you, and thank you for you informative web site. I have never recieved real time info on a fire in over 20 years of doing this. I have your phone number will call when I get in your area. Thanks for what you do. Will make sure you get a company calendar. Phillip J Darnell. 805 886 6092
Did the Chalk fire damage areas within Limekiln S.P., ie the trails, falls, campground?
Dan, I wrote you privately. If you did not get it, let me know. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Big Sur Kate,
Sure enjoy your web page, +information and many comments. Have turned into a daily visitor with great pleasure…
But, need to know how can I get a cell phone booster like you mentioned you have???
My solar home is on a dirt road in the Santa Monica Mountains, but regularly I visit Big Sur and other remote places and would like to be able to use my cell—-it regularly hits dead areas…. Thanks for any info. you can share–Name of your booster + how you ordered it….
Thanks again for being there, take good care..
Karen
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! And for an Apocalypse-Free Winter. Thank you so muc, Kate, for your blogsite! It is very helpful to me.
Kindest regards,
Sapan Rinpoche
Lyons, Colorado
hi, do you know if this morning’s slide zone is from a burn area from last summer or just a good old fashioned rock slide?
your post makes it look like it will be cleaned up this morning.
Thanks for the post. Looks like good info.
Jim H.
Assignment manager
KGO-TV
415-954-7321
Hi Kate, This is Chris. I’m a friend of Bills down in Wild Cattle. I met you during the chalk fire. Sorry don’t know how else to get a hold of Bill without driving in. Could you please pass along a message through Katie that his dog, Mindie is doing okay and is being looked after. We will get her back to him in the next few days. Thanks so much. Chris
Kate,
You are so right-on, about the fact that Big Sur (not just Big Sur proper, but the whole area, from where the flatlands stop, north of San Simeon, all the way to Rocky Ridge) is a home, a mother, a Being-but not being as in individual. A feeling of connectedness with… the mystery of life happens here. One can sit on the same spot on a ridge for a day or two, just watching the parade of clouds & fog, listening to birds, and feel the deep rhythm of Earth, as sun & stars slide by. You are my distant neighbor, as I live in Santa Cruz, but every visit I make to where you call home, feels like coming home to me!
Hi Kate,
I’m just crusing through an thought I would say hi.
Browney
I came back to visit your site tonite and really enjoyed it. Your photography is soooooooo good. It is really nice to view photos with excellent lighting and composition. Something I work very hard on with my artwork. Of course, I had to read every tidbit about Dakota and I’m glad the wound is finally healing. Your Big Sur updates are very confusing to an outsider, but interesting like going to another world.
Dear Kate – pls contact me asap
Hey bigsurkate,
This is Laith Agha, reporter for the Monterey Herald. Would it be possible for you to share some observations of the fire this evening? You can contact me at 831-646-4358 or lagha@montereyherald.com. The sooner the better. If you email me, can you provide a brief description of who you are? Thanks.
-Laith
Just stumbled in on your website recently, Thank you for all this information. The photos are spectacular, what camera are you using? My boyfriend is out on the Ponderosa fire right now and is giving me updates, but your blog is extremely helpful =] Your efforts are much appreciated!!!
kate: another source of regularly-posted photos of south Central Coast fires: edhat.com
also some good comments from folks who have intimate knowlege of those little-known back country areas as to the type and ages of fuels going up.
Thanks, Sue. Will check it out.
hey kate….Ive been getting a lot of mixed signals from the rangers whether or not nacimiento road is reopened and specifically if the coast ridge trail is opened. i was planning a 2 day photography trip at the end of that trail and i would hate to show up and it not be opened. Is there anyway you can find out for me…
thanks for all of your good work
So glad we have you on the beat, Kate. And I’ll be sure to call before I head up your driveway, that’s for sure!
Hi Kate,
mine is Ray, am a retired Ft.Hunter Liggett Firefighter/Engineer…spent 33 years there fighting fire..my nickname is “Motz”…lol. I love your website and the info on fires in the liggett an south county areas….my brother rich is currently down south with an engine crew on the station fire…he said it had tripled over night to over 30,000 now…keep up the good job kate….will check back for updates…later, Motz
P.S. am currently residing in Paso Robles now.
Saturday is the Big Sur Health Center 30th Anniversary BBQ at the Grange from 12-4 P.M. Everyone is invited for free food, music, and celebration. It should be a great community event.
Hi Kate:
Have a question…any ideas about how to keep flies and yellow jackets away… They drive me crazy … are they more abundant this year because
of the fire in 08? thanks Susan
Yes Kate, I was at the Hermitage on my birthday, September 17, and I couldn’t even stand to go outside for the whole time I was there at the Hermitage, 5 days. How do you possibly handle it at your house? For the other Susan above I can say that there are electric fly zappers outside houses at dairy farms so they don’t get in the house. I looked at the weather at Parkington Ridge today and it was so hot….probably lots of flies. I heard a wives tale before I came up that if you put copper pennies in water in a plastic bag that it would repell the flies from the reflecting pennies. It didn’t work.
Sorry ,,, Don’t know what to think , of your blog corespondants ,,,, I can understand your Love of that Land ,,,, Me Too ,,,, Currently in Singapore
Are You , having plenty of Frosty Mornings ?
BTW ,,, what kind of vehicle are you driving , way up there ?
Is that vehicle reliable ? Does the water in your batteries, freeze ?
Did you remember when John Clueit , flew Blonco into his birthday party, by a helocopter ? Where you there ? Paula, thought , that you might have been there !